Leviste questions DPWH's usec's track record, Perez resigns

Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste on Friday questioned the track record of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Usec. Arrey Perez in the procurement process, after saying some DPWH officials have ties to contractors, if they are not contractors themselves.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said Perez filed his irrevocable resignation after Leviste made his allegations.

“Ang nababalitaan ko rin po ay plano daw ni Secretary Vince Dizon na ipahawak kay Undersecretary Arreh Perez ang bidding ng DPWH sa Central Office. Maraming mga madidisappoint kung makita nila ang history ng bidding and procurement ni Undersecretary Arrey Perez,” Leviste said in a press conference.

Leviste said he named Perez after Dizon asked for the identities of the officials. 

“Dahil kung may sampung tao na nagbigay sa akin ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga appointees ni Secretary Dizon, ang pinakamarami na sa mga sampung ito ay si Undersecretary Arrey Perez,” Leviste said.

In a separate phone patch interview with House beat reporters, Leviste clarified that Perez was not a contractor.

“I have received information about many of the appointees of the Secretary. And what I have learned about Usec Perez is that he is not the contractor.  I'm not sure if he is or not,” Leviste said.

Leviste said Perez was not the official whom he had earlier said met three government contractors at a restaurant.

“Hindi si Perez ‘yung sinasabi kong contractor na nakipag-meeting sa mga tatlong contractors outside of DPWH in a restaurant and inaalok na siya," Leviste said.

"I said a while ago, halos lahat nilalapitan at kilala at may connection sa mga contractor. Iyong sinasabi ko ay meron specific individual na nag-meeting sa tatlong contractors, iba yun. Hindi si Perez,” he added.

Asked if he was still alleging that Perez met contractors, Leviste replied, “Yes. But he is not the same person who allegedly met with three contractors in the restaurant."

Irrevocable resignation

At a press conference on Friday, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said Perez tendered his “irrevocable resignation” immediately after Leviste identified him as among those he claimed as having ties with contractors involved in the flood control corruption scandal.

The Public Works chief said Perez had explained that he does not want to be a “distraction” for Dizon’s sweeping revamp of the DPWH, which is mired in the flood control projects corruption mess.

In a separate statement, Perez said, "I resigned because I know that the malicious insinuations against me will only turn public service into a political game."

"I will not let them use me to divert attention from what truly matters. Let the fight against corruption continue, and let me continue to do my work in it from a position of integrity," he added. 

Perez was among the five new undersecretaries handpicked by Dizon to oversee the DPWH’s various sector following his appointment as Public Works chief.

Dizon said Perez, who had a short stint as president of Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., was not appointed to oversee the agency’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) but as undersecretary for Operations in charge of Convergence Projects and Technical Services.

“To be clear, I have not appointed anyone to head the BAC,” the DPWH chief said.

Despite stepping down from his post, Dizon said Perez will still be investigated by the DPWH.

“Di ‘porket nag resign ay hindi na natin iimbestigahan,” Dizon said. –NB/VBL, GMA Integrated News